₹2.27 crore Sabarimala ghee scam: Ex-Devaswom chief named accused

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Vigilance has widened its probe into the alleged financial irregularities surrounding ghee procurement for Sabarimala, naming former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prasanth and board member C.N. Ajikumar as accused in the case. The investigation is being led by a special team headed by Vigilance SP Sojan following a Kerala High Court directive.

According to the preliminary findings, the two allegedly intervened to ensure that the ghee supply contract was awarded to Milma after the original tender process was scrapped. Six firms had participated in the tender floated in 2024 for procuring ghee during the previous Makaravilakku season, but the process was cancelled before completion, and the contract was handed to Milma.

The controversy centres on the sharp price difference between the bids. A Tamil Nadu-based company had quoted ₹369 per litre, while the Devaswom Board ultimately purchased 1.65 lakh litres of ghee from Milma at ₹510 per litre. Vigilance estimates that the decision caused the Board a loss of ₹2.27 crore.

Officials noted that Milma ghee requires a smaller quantity for preparing Aravana, a factor cited by the then administrative officer in recommending the cooperative. However, despite objections from the Devaswom Commissioner, the contract was allegedly awarded to Milma.

The High Court ordered the vigilance probe after examining a Devaswom Vigilance report indicating possible multi-crore losses in the transaction. Investigators have been directed to submit a progress report within one month as the high-profile corruption probe gathers pace.